Meiping vase with incised calligraphic inscription

Most complete meiping vases with black decoration on a white ground have been unearthed from Jin-Yuan tombs. Their tall proportion with a conical mouth and a theme consisting of three friezes—the majority on the body set off by two above and below—became a consistent style (Hebei Mus. 1980: fig. 382; WW 1992.11: 96). This vase, distinctive for the boldness of its incised calligraphy combined with a painted motif, is an outstanding folk piece. The calligraphy, which reads "snow and wind obscuring the moon," is placed between a painted lotus motif on the shoulder and panels below.